A Winder man has been jailed for the sixth time in two years on domestic violence charges.

Nicholas Paul Fortner, 30, of 836 Hwy. 211 in Winder, is accused of entering his ex-girlfriend’s house on June 6 and attacking her.

The woman said she received a text from Fortner saying he was outside and wanted to talk to her. The woman said she went upstairs to lie down and a few minutes later realized Fortner was in the room.

Fortner allegedly walked over to the woman, covered her mouth with his hand and started laughing before backing away. When the woman tried to stand up, Fortner shoved her back onto the bed.

The woman said she went downstairs to figure out how Fortner got into the house and found a bedroom window was open. When she ordered Fortner to leave, he pushed her down onto a sofa. The woman said Fortner put his hands around her face and screamed “What’s going on? We need to talk” before biting the woman on the lip.

Fortner and the woman walked outside where Fortner reportedly pushed the woman into a child’s swimming pool before leaving the residence.

The woman then called 911. When the deputy arrived, the woman said she had a valid protective order in place against Fortner. The woman said there have been 25-30 incidents of family violence in the two years she has known Fortner and that he had already been arrested five times previously for acts of domestic violence against her.

Warrants were secured against Fortner for family violence simple battery, criminal trespass and aggravated stalking. He was taken into custody on June 25.

Prior to last week’s arrest, Fortner’s most recent arrest was in February of this year when he was charged with stalking, simple assault, simple battery, cruelty to children and criminal trespass after a confrontation with the woman at his mother’s house.

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office took Fortner into custody two days after the Feb. 18 incident. In addition to the warrants obtained by Winder Police, Fortner was also charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

According to BCSO records, Fortner was arrested in Oct. 2008 for simple battery and obstruction of an emergency medical technician. He was released after four days in jail.

Two months later, Fortner was arrested for burglary and two counts of second degree criminal damage to property. Fortner served four days before making bond.

In May of 2009, Fortner served two days after again being charged with burglary. The following month, Fortner served 29 days after being arrested on family violence charges including three counts of criminal damage to property, two counts of aggravated assault, violation of a family violence order, obstruction, false imprisonment and family violence hit and run.

"In May of 2009, Fortner served two days after again being charged with burglary. The following month, Fortner served 29 days after being arrested on family violence charges including three counts of criminal damage to property, two counts of aggravated assault, violation of a family violence order, obstruction, false imprisonment and family violence hit and run."

You've got to be kidding me. What in the hell is wrong with our court system? Fortner served 29 days for aggravated assault, violating a TPO, obstruction, false imprisonment and FV hit and run. It's time the Barrow County court system started handing out some realistic sentences on serious DV felonies...

I am a member of this family. Surely some investigation is going on as to why this has happened 6 times. I can tell you why, The ex girlfriend is still the girl friend. She can't wait until he gets home so she can see him again. She admits not being afraid of him. They have lived together secretively during all of this. Unfortunately the girlfriend's (whose name I will not mention out of respect for my grandson and out of my love for her)motherhas taught her since childhood to call the police to settle disagreements.Nicholas begs me when I visit him not to do anything to get her in trouble.

I can believe this. The justice system just dishes out charges they don't back up the sentences. The court system and jails are so over run they can't keep everyone who deserves sentencing. "Do the crime, pay the time" is a joke. I know of someone in barrow that is on probation, already has a felony record and is going back to court soon for another crime. They got locked up for another charge and was out on the street the next day. Go figure.

There is so much more to all of these situations that is known... We are both to blame for the drama that surrounds Nic and I, and everyone that is involved. We have caused our families great amounts of pain during the past 2 years. And now we have a precious baby boy, Camden Fortner, who has Pearsons Syndrome. His life expectancy is any where from infancy to 10 years old. Nic is in a lot of legal trouble due to my stupidity, and he may not be around for Camden, and what little time he has. Taking care of such a medically needy child requires both parents and Nics family and I will do anything we can to see that he can be around as much as possible to help care for Camden. Nic is a great daddy and loves Camden very much.
It is obvious that I am not afraid of Nic, as I have stayed in the relationship since day one. You may not be able to understand it, and think it's outrageous, but that is the truth.
Before Nic was arrested for this last incident, he seeked medical treatment, and is now doing much better with his anger management.
Maybe people should ask questions instead of giving their opinions, since they don't know the whole story.
-Erin
p.s. Pray for our son, as he is not only dealing with his disease, but also two parents that have caused things to be a lot harder for him.